Soupysteve's 40gallon breeder journal
- Thread starter Soupysteve
- Start date
- Aug 24, 2008
- 92
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- Real Name
- Stephen Hess
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- Samsung Galaxy 7 Active
Thanks, noodles and reddog. I am trying to make up for all the fish deaths and poor fish-keeping techniques I practiced as a 8 - 14 year old (when I last had freshwater).
I'd hate to admit it to all my saltwater buddies I've made, but after setting up this tank and seeing how nice a planted tank can look, I've been considering converting my 110g mixed reef into a planted Discus tank. I figure the 2 150w HQI MH pendants I have could make any plant grow.
I also like how a trip to the LFS used to be ~$60 (salt and 1 fish or coral) - and now it's like, $15 (a plant and a fish or additive).
Since water changes for freshwater don't require pricey salt, I have no problem doing a 12.5% water change every other day, either.
I'd hate to admit it to all my saltwater buddies I've made, but after setting up this tank and seeing how nice a planted tank can look, I've been considering converting my 110g mixed reef into a planted Discus tank. I figure the 2 150w HQI MH pendants I have could make any plant grow.
I also like how a trip to the LFS used to be ~$60 (salt and 1 fish or coral) - and now it's like, $15 (a plant and a fish or additive).
Since water changes for freshwater don't require pricey salt, I have no problem doing a 12.5% water change every other day, either.
Last edited:
- Aug 24, 2008
- 92
- 0
- 6
- Real Name
- Stephen Hess
- Camera Used
- Samsung Galaxy 7 Active
I've had 3 more neon deaths in the last two days... what the heck?
I've been doing daily 5 gal (12.5%) water changes for the last few days.
My water tests show no issues (though, admittedly I only have tests for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia). I've cut back on feeding - even changing their diet to a small amount of cyclopeze and a couple of skinned and squished peas. At this rate, I will be down to no neons in like, 11 days...
If this is the case, could someone suggest a hardier, peaceful, schooling fish that may rival the neons as far as how colorful they are?
I've been doing daily 5 gal (12.5%) water changes for the last few days.
My water tests show no issues (though, admittedly I only have tests for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia). I've cut back on feeding - even changing their diet to a small amount of cyclopeze and a couple of skinned and squished peas. At this rate, I will be down to no neons in like, 11 days...
If this is the case, could someone suggest a hardier, peaceful, schooling fish that may rival the neons as far as how colorful they are?
Actually, a word of warning. MH and plants don't go together well. Plants will be a bit more bleached than with the PC and CFLs. They will grow, but probably won't look as good.
- Aug 24, 2008
- 92
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- 6
- Real Name
- Stephen Hess
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- Samsung Galaxy 7 Active
I guess that means I'd have to sell the lights if I converted my 110 reef to a planted tank, then. Thanks for the heads up, CoryKeeper.
well considering the price for new ones that you listed, you should be able to pay for the new lights and maybe make a little bit of money as well.
- Aug 24, 2008
- 92
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- 6
- Real Name
- Stephen Hess
- Camera Used
- Samsung Galaxy 7 Active
I can't keep 'em alive!!!
I found three more dead today. This is really starting to get to me - seeing as everyone else is so happy. Are the neons just that touchy? All but two of these neons that have died have been large ones. How long can they live?
I watched one neon die today, he ended up resting on the bottom of the tank, then getting buoyant - and as he floated he struggled to try to swim and breathe.
I got "Colorguide of tropical fish diseases" from a friend. I am still at a loss for a diagnosis. If/when I find a new corpse, I may attempt an "autopsy" of sorts and will post pics...
There is one individual neon I've noticed who whoops up on the others - could this stress alone be enough to push them over the edge?
Any suggestions?
Anything I can/should test for aside from the three listed earlier?
Tank is down to ~20 neons, 5 otos, 1 (maybe 2) cory cats, a rubber-nosed pleco, and a Bolivian ram. I plan on picking up a second filter in the next 30 days or so.
I found three more dead today. This is really starting to get to me - seeing as everyone else is so happy. Are the neons just that touchy? All but two of these neons that have died have been large ones. How long can they live?
I watched one neon die today, he ended up resting on the bottom of the tank, then getting buoyant - and as he floated he struggled to try to swim and breathe.
I got "Colorguide of tropical fish diseases" from a friend. I am still at a loss for a diagnosis. If/when I find a new corpse, I may attempt an "autopsy" of sorts and will post pics...
There is one individual neon I've noticed who whoops up on the others - could this stress alone be enough to push them over the edge?
Any suggestions?
Anything I can/should test for aside from the three listed earlier?
Tank is down to ~20 neons, 5 otos, 1 (maybe 2) cory cats, a rubber-nosed pleco, and a Bolivian ram. I plan on picking up a second filter in the next 30 days or so.
Water parameters? Amm, nitrites, nitrates?
Neons can be a bit fragile sometimes, but they're sort of like the canary in the coal mine. When they start popping off dead, you really should start looking at your water parameters to see if you can find out what's wrong. Your rubber nose and ram might also have something to do with it. Do either of them look guilty? Actually, I have had horrible luck with pleco's of any kind. All of mine seem to turn into midnight killers. Never had a rubber nose though so YMMV.
But, check your water params first. If we can rule that out as the problem, we'll be one step closer to figuring out what's going on.
Neons can be a bit fragile sometimes, but they're sort of like the canary in the coal mine. When they start popping off dead, you really should start looking at your water parameters to see if you can find out what's wrong. Your rubber nose and ram might also have something to do with it. Do either of them look guilty? Actually, I have had horrible luck with pleco's of any kind. All of mine seem to turn into midnight killers. Never had a rubber nose though so YMMV.
But, check your water params first. If we can rule that out as the problem, we'll be one step closer to figuring out what's going on.
- Aug 24, 2008
- 92
- 0
- 6
- Real Name
- Stephen Hess
- Camera Used
- Samsung Galaxy 7 Active
calling all neon tetra experts...
... two more dead this morning. So much for this being a hobby where you can just stare at the tank to relax, huh? Here are the pics of them. Note how the bottom one has an ulcerated/bruised belly... I've noticed this with a couple of the dead I've pulled out.
What concerns me the most is that it's no longer the BIG or original neons that are kicking the bucket now...
"Neons can be a bit fragile sometimes, but they're sort of like the canary in the coal mine. When they start popping off dead, you really should start looking at your water parameters to see if you can find out what's wrong." - jaylin
That was almost VERBATIM what I was telling my pals. When they saw me scooping out the last batch of dead, they asked why the ram, pleco, cory cats, and otos were doing well - my answer was that those fish were hardier fish.
Should I STOP doing my daily 12.5% (5/40gal) water changes? Could the changes themselves be stressing out my fish?
I posted my water parameters earlier, but I will do an additional batch of tests today and post their results.
... two more dead this morning. So much for this being a hobby where you can just stare at the tank to relax, huh? Here are the pics of them. Note how the bottom one has an ulcerated/bruised belly... I've noticed this with a couple of the dead I've pulled out.
What concerns me the most is that it's no longer the BIG or original neons that are kicking the bucket now...
"Neons can be a bit fragile sometimes, but they're sort of like the canary in the coal mine. When they start popping off dead, you really should start looking at your water parameters to see if you can find out what's wrong." - jaylin
That was almost VERBATIM what I was telling my pals. When they saw me scooping out the last batch of dead, they asked why the ram, pleco, cory cats, and otos were doing well - my answer was that those fish were hardier fish.
Should I STOP doing my daily 12.5% (5/40gal) water changes? Could the changes themselves be stressing out my fish?
I posted my water parameters earlier, but I will do an additional batch of tests today and post their results.
